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Tag: #culture

October was a month to remember as Run Boy Run Productions of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia had projects running in not one but two parts of Pennsylvania but also how both projects stand tall to be about social issues within communities of today and that is domestic violence and abuse.

Starting off with Boomerang as it previewed works from the performance piece at the Koresh Dance Showcase. With a story that has never been told, Boomerang is one to bring focus to how children are affected by abuse of in a family specifically African American male as it can often be something that molds them in belief that these actions are how you are suppose to be or want to treat someone even into adulthood. Truth is this story is not limiting and is real in many communities and whit every piece as they unfold many will watch and see someone in this maybe even themselves and understand the need of raising a family under a positive roof can be the true focus for a positive youth.

Our other play Mississippi Smiles has been making a move since its birth from paper a year ago. With a focus on domestic violence and abuse as it effects women that transition from heterosexual to the lgbtq community it brings a big focus as to how it’s often about what baggage we choose to keep in our lives then recognizing how to heal first.

With an all star cast and director to match, Mississippi Smiles was a sold out show and had many wanting more. The understanding of domestic violence and abuse awareness is to see that it’s effects can be felt in many ways, shapes and forms and for us we are glad to bring stories to life that generate not just thought but conversation.

Over the weekend we wrapped up underground episode. This was a test on how to run a show for two weeks and I must say there was a lot to be learned but it is definitely worth it. First things first, the cast compose of both veterans and newbies with a short timeframe of two months to learn probably one of the most challenging work that some of them have been a part of. For many including myself it was jumping from one production to another that was a challenge however for others it was just coming in and beginning the task at hand.

This time around we utilized collaborating with makeup artist Andrea Blassingame to create the looks, set up radio time for interviews, bloggers, and paid advertising in the metro Philly to get the word out on the production. We also utilized the site which the facility used instead of going the eventbrite way.

It was scary but I had to see what we could do and the end result turned out to be what we wanted. Now we are gearing up for next year to actually take advantage of all we learned.

The beauty of it all was swing how no matter what RunBoyRunProduction still continues to grow as a family and in the end this makes for good business.

In a place that was once the Women’s Kensington Hospital the ancestry of women speak. Drum like a lady Latrice and Jamillah allowed the sounds of the drum to bring in the spirits as the crowd couldn’t help but participate as the heard the drum of the mothers like it was the heart beat of our beginning of rhythm. Showing us rhythm through beat boxing bring the people together through life of rhythm.

But song can be created through woven rhythm as well as Lynda Grace shows in her she utilizes fiber woven vessels to create a medium ancestry speaking from a past life of mothers wombs to life’s moments of meeting individuals from scrap metal collectors to the black lives matters experience. Beginning from the grandmother showing her and watching her knit, her knitting was a form of community seeing that words can build a shield.
Although they have meet in conjunction with this project the art that speaks through Lynda’s has has extended into the photography of Sheenas.

Sheena Garcia speaks through pictures with stories ranging from single mothers protecting their sons and seeing the need to hold on to a sons life with a black and white imagery that leaves you understanding why these lives matter.
The owner of this building Betsey Casanas maybe short in stature but her calling as an artist speaks to a higher level as she opens the doorway into her culture with demential artistry that looks as alive as the the cock story tale that began the piece. Engulfed in enjoyment roots energy and culture the people came in the building getting a story fluid with diversity but in the end containing a wholeness that only these women could spin.

Last night was an amazing night as i watch a dream unfold The Collective Mic Arts Cafe birthed from the vision and drive of its creators Tiffani”La Dive” Dean and Jody”True Story” Austin. It was a gathering i am blessed with its wait as many of the Collective family and us that are extension of that came out to show our support to the birth of a creative space made

to bring in artistic creativity of all kinds.With walls laid out with some of the brightest talents the city has to offer. with walls that contained a story within themselves the artistry was speaking in its own tongue as pieces from Giovanni aka Lyrical Thought,Cierra F,Way LaMatrix,Kamau MShele, Alicia Adanna Amira Jenna and MyDeraSpeakMeFree were on display and feature painter Giovanni and Cierra amazed us with there collaborative on set strokes of work that showed us all that when a woman hand speaks you better listen. The open mic was a blaze as artist came out to let loose old and new works of flowmenship that oozed from lips and allowed us to breath new air of words for a first time. But when it came to giving the mic what it needed, the crowed was fixed on the lyrical wordsmith Shyst giving a story that can only be told through rapid insertion and power that he possesses.

When the mic closed the night was far from over as Dj Mitch let the party people get something funky to mingle too as they feed on finger foods and libations that relaxed the night as it was meant too. In the end the Collective has shown all that as artist the time has come for forward progress as black business owners and a place for arts in neighborhoods that deserve to be brought back to life within a continued beginning that will go on for ever…

I must admit that i am in fear of whats to come as those whom i am us to working with have been busy with there own lives and projects. Nevertheless this i am seizing this moment to become the artist i was meant to be and allow others to help me where my fears would probably make me take a back seat and stop this project all together. Happiness is finding the common ground among others and reaching outward and in to understand that the balance to all of this is understanding that you never were alone within a journey that has a true positive focus…

That’s what makes acting so attractive. You get to break all your own rules.”Gerardine Clark”

The beauty of acting is allowing yourself to let go and take on roles that you never thought you would do. In many ways this is your inner voice ready to dive into the unexpected and see if things are possible. In the end it is here when one finds them self and realize that it was always the fear of exploring that held them back that will never do so again. ﻿﻿

This is some of the cast members of Underground Episodes and I believe in them. As actors they show they have the will to learn the ability to understand and the talent to stretch further. The FringeArts Festival is there time to shine.. Photo of Jazz Whitonez by; Michael Heyward photographyhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/underground-episodes-tickets-843570141